China’s Army Praises Iranian Navy for Freedom of Chinese Vessel

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Gholam Reza Khadem Biqam announced on Saturday that his Chinese counterpart in a phone conversation has appreciated the Iranian navy forces for rescuing a Chinese freighter which had been seized by pirates 45 miles off Iran’s Southern port city of Bandar Jask on Friday.

Khadem Biqam elaborated on the operation during which the Chinese vessel was rescued, and said, “The crews of the Chinese ship were released and 9 pirates were also arrested in the operation.”

“The ship had 28 crews who were freed safely and will be transferred to Bandar Abbas hours later,” he added.

A large number of the Chinese media had also in their Saturday reports lauded the Iranian Navy for rescuing a Chinese freighter.

Chinese media like “China.org”, “Xinhua”, Global Times”, “China Daily” and the “People” newspaper in their reports on the event stressed the importance of the Iranian Navy’s timely measure in saving the Chinese vessel, and described it as a sign of high power and capabilities of Iran’s naval forces.

The Chinese embassy in Tehran had earlier confirmed that the cargo ship, named “Xianghuamen”, was kidnapped by pirates in waters close to Iran.

The embassy contacted Iranian officials and requested the release of the Chinese vessel and its crew.

According to Iranian officials, the vessel carried ironware and was heading towards the Iranian port of Imam Khomeini.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian naval forces have been conducting anti-piracy patrols in international waters off its coasts since November 2008 to safeguard maritime trade, and in particular ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.